Ben’s charity ride from Sequim to Tucson

Recap by Sam:

Ben’s The Amazing Not Race to raise funds for the Arizona Cycling Association Scholarship Fund.

It is not too late to donate to add to the nearly $9,000 already raised. Just click the donate button. Like Ben says, kids on bikes is what its all about.
Ben has arrived home in Tucson on Friday after riding 2200 miles from Ben’s Bikes Sequim to Ben’s Bikes Tucson. He Spent 32 days going the distance with 4 rest days included. He left Sequim on April 15th after touching his rear wheel to the front door of the shop. He arrived at Ben’s Bikes Tucson on May 16th where he touched the front wheel to the door, completing his ride. The touch is similar to the RAGBRAI wheel dunk in the Missouri River at the beginning and the dunking in the Mississippi River at the end of the ride.

The staff here at Ben’s Bikes Sequim enjoying watching the daily route as tracked by the satellite integrated with his GPS on board route guide.

His MASI gravel bike was loaded with all his gear, clothing and water. His choice of cycling shirt was noteworthy; it was a long sleeve, hooded, loose fitting, almost Bedouin type garment that protected him from the sun, wicked well and keep him cool and warm as needed.

His daily reports (still available on the daily log below) were anticipated by the staff twice a day. While he was equipped with a tent he only found one opportunity to camp out. Many of the bike camps were not open yet so he stayed in a variety of motels, warm shower hosts and friends of the shop. At least one or two of the warm shower hosts were a bit weird but still hospitable.

GIANT Bicycles provided him with a hotel room for his first rest day on Day 22, a day he used to visit with the GIANT staff in Thousand Oaks, California.

We were amazed that over 32 days he had one real rainy day and a couple of foggy days.
As expected the ride down the Coast was relatively cool. When he got to San Diego the next day temperature out past Pine Valley into Yuma was 108 degrees. It was a perfect time to take another rest day, so day 25 to 27 was spent rejuvenating in La Jolla/Mission Beach area.

A cool front rolled through on day 28 to help him climb into the mountains to Pine Valley. The next day was in the low 80’s with as much as a forty mile tailwind. At some points he was chasing his beard. With the wind and lower temperatures he was able to get all the way downhill to Yuma, more than 120 miles. The wind stayed out of the west the next day and blew him all the way to Gila Bend.

The trip had its high and low moments. Some of the route was not validated by GPS so Ben had to improvise a bit here and there. He had no notice of the ferry suspension at Cathlamet resulting in additional miles to back track to Astoria. But that allowed him to go over the Astoria Bridge. The route was a combination of off road bike paths, some designated on road bike friendly roads and some use of the PCH, I-5 and I-10. He did have one stretch of gravel that beat his feet up a bit. Most of the bike paths were clean with the exception of the highways where he encountered lug nuts, bolts and alligator tire casings along with blowing sand.

Among the highlights of the trip was an overnight in Centralia at the old brothel that has been refurbished to its past glory by McMinamin’s. He spent the night in the historic Cathlamet Hotel the next night.

Anyone who has driven or biked down the PCH knows the great scenery he rode past and through. He got to stop at the Firestone/Walker Brewery and partake of some tasty beverages. The weather was helpful for his trip across the Golden Gate Bridge, another iconic vista.

He seems to have found many great local restaurants with delicious breakfasts at incredibly moderate prices. Unfortunately for Ben his last good cup of coffee was at Ben’s Sequim where he had some great Rainshadow Ethiopian. One of his first stops in Tucson was at Ren’s Coffeehouse where he reacquainted his taste buds with some great coffee.
Due to the closure of the PCH in Big Sur and Malibu the route took him down through the Salinas Valley from Gilroy to Templeton past fields of garlic, avocados and a multitude of vegetables.

The wind out of Pine Valley was very fortuitous. But again, for any of you who has driven from Yuma to Gila Bend knows this is one of the most desolate and boring routes for any vehicle, let alone one going about 12 mph.

A word from Ben:

Please join me while I ride from Ben’s Bikes Sequim WA to Ben’s Bikes Tucson AZ . I’m raising money for the Arizona Cycling Association youth scholarship fund and your contribution will make an impact. Whether you donate $.01 mile or $20 mile or flat donation, every little bit helps. Thank you for your support. Each year the fund has a greater need than it can provide. My goal is to impact the lives of as many youth riders as possible for the sport of MTB riding. I will be posting updates to Facebook, follow along on my journey home.

Please share to help spread the word.